Multiple extendable leadwire device

Abstract

The present invention is directed toward a housing or magazine which is designed for efficient storage and management of electrically conductive cabling useful for the interconnection of disparate components, for example audio components, computer system components and the like. In a particular embodiment, the invention is directed toward a retractable lead wire device useful in the connection of patients to various input and output functions of medical testing and treatment devices, for example electrotherapy machines, ultrasound machinery, electrocardiogram machines (EKG) electroencephalograph (EEG) and devices useful for delivering muscle and nerve stimulation to the body. In a particular embodiment the device complies with the current IEC safety standards.

What is claimed is:  
     
       1. A device for management and storage of at least a first and a second electrically conductive cable useful for interconnecting plural components comprising: a housing outer structure including means for ingress/egress of said electrically conductive cables; 
       at least a first and second cable storage means constructed and arranged for independent rotation with respect to each other mounted within said housing; said housing means including an electrical coupling means thereon effective for conducting a first and second component of a signal from an external device;  
       at least first and second conductor means for electrically connecting said electrical coupling means to said at least first and second cable storage means and to at least a first and second cable member such that a first signal component is delivered only to said first storage means and said first cable member and a second signal component is delivered only to said second storage means and said second cable member;  
       retraction means in mechanical engagement with said housing outer structure and said cable storage means for retracting said cables to a fully stored position.  
     
     
       2. The device in accordance with claim  1 , wherein: 
       said housing outer structure has a first half and a second half.  
     
     
       3. The device in accordance with claim  1 , wherein: 
       said at least first and second means for cable storage rotatably mounted within said housing includes at least a first and second storage drum assembly rotatably mounted within said housing and including an axle, a first essentially circular flange and a second essentially circular flange, each said flange arranged in spaced-apart relation along said axle and essentially perpendicular thereto, thereby defining a cable storage area adapted to releasably store an electrically conductive cable therein.  
     
     
       4. The device in accordance with claim  3 , wherein: 
       said conductor means include an electrically conductive annular region located on said first flange and in electrical communication with said electrically conductive cable.  
     
     
       5. The device in accordance with claim  1 , wherein: 
       said coupling means include a supply plug integrally engaged with said housing outer structure and in electrical communication with an electrically conductive surface.  
     
     
       6. The device in accordance with claim  1 , wherein: 
       said retraction means includes at least one spring motor.  
     
     
       7. The device in accordance with claim  1 , including: 
       cable transport control means in frictional engagement with said cable storage means for automatically preventing retraction.  
     
     
       8. The device in accordance with claim  1 , wherein: 
       said coupling means includes a two-part plug assembly wherein a first part of said plug assembly is recessed within a cavity of said outer housing and is adapted for electrically coupling to a second part of said plug assembly.  
     
     
       9. The device in accordance with claim  7 , wherein said cable transport control means in frictional engagement with said cable storage means for automatically preventing retraction includes: 
       at least one brake/release lever positioned within said unitary housing outer structure, said lever constructed and arranged to pivot about an axle which is molded into said unitary housing outer structure and is spring biased for application of a force sufficient to frictionally engage said cable storage means.  
     
     
       10. The device in accordance claim  1 , wherein the first and second cable storage means include a first and second cable stored thereon in the form of a first and second medical lead.